The Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) recently issued a press release emphasizing that June 15th, 2025 is Elder Abuse Awareness day. The state agency wants everyone to be aware of the problem, know about the warning signs, and have the resources that they need to report abuse or neglect. Here, our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney provides an overview of the problem, the common signs of abuse, and the steps to take to protect your vulnerable loved one.
Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Focused on Shedding Light to a Serious Problem
The Illinois Department on Aging highlights June 15th, 2025 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Notably, this comes amid rising elder abuse reports. There has been a significant jump in the number of nursing home abuse/elder abuse reports brought in the state since 2022. Regulators note that they may reflect better reporting, as elder abuse is widely believed to be systematically underreported. Director of the IDOA Mary Killough urges all communities to recognize warning signs, such as physical, emotional, sexual mistreatment, financial exploitation, or neglect. Director Killough also wants people and families to intervene to protect vulnerable senior citizens. In 2024, Adult Protective Services (APS) in Illinois received over 18,000 elder abuse reports and around 4,000 involving younger adults with disabilities.
Note: APS offers confidential support. Any person can report suspected abuse via its 24/7/365 hotline at 866‑800‑1409.
Know the Common Signs of Elder Abuse
The best way to handle elder abuse is to stop it from ever happening in the first place. The second best way to deal with elder abuse is to identify it as soon as possible and to take corrective action to protect your loved one. Families should be aware of the warning signs that indicate that there is a problem. Here are some of the most common elder abuse warning signs to be aware of:
- Unexplained Injuries: Bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones that appear without a clear explanation may be a red flag. If you see frequent injuries or a pattern of injuries, especially those in various stages of healing, that should prompt concern. Physical abuse is one of the most visible forms of elder mistreatment. It must always be taken seriously.
- Sudden Changes in Mood/Behavior: Elders who become withdrawn, anxious, fearful, or unusually quiet may be reacting to emotional or psychological abuse. These behavioral changes often signal that something is wrong, even if the victim will not or cannot disclose what happened. You should watch for shifts in personality or demeanor when certain people are around.
- Social Withdrawal: If an elder suddenly stops attending regular activities, seeing family, or answering phone calls, it could signal abuse. Abusers may intentionally isolate the victim to prevent them from speaking out. Victims may also withdraw out of shame, fear, or depression. Isolation for elderly people is bad for their health. It should be addressed. Poor Hygiene and/or Unsanitary Living Conditions: Vulnerable senior citizens deserve safe, fair, and clean living conditions. Neglect can show up in the form of dirty clothes, unbathed skin, bedsores, or infestations in the home. If a previously tidy elder suddenly appears disheveled or lives in squalor, it may be a result of willful or passive neglect. Caregivers who fail to meet basic needs could be putting the elder’s health at serious risk.
- Unusual Financial Issues: Financial exploitation is a type of elder abuse. In too many cases, it goes unnoticed until a lot of damage is already done. You should watch for large withdrawals, unpaid bills, new credit cards, or changes to legal documents like wills or powers of attorney.
- A Bad Feeling in Your Gut: In some cases, the signs of elder abuse are not obvious, but your instincts may still sense that something is off. If you feel uneasy after visiting an elder or notice something just does not add up, trust that feeling. Intuition can be a powerful early warning system, especially when paired with subtle changes in behavior or environment.
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois
Elder abuse should be reported in Illinois—especially if it happens within a nursing home or other type of licensed long-term care facility. The most important thing to do is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of your vulnerable loved one. In an emergency, you may need to pull them out of a facility immediately and get them professional medical attention. You should report the elder abuse right away. The best way to do so is generally to call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s 24‑hour Nursing Home Complaint Hotline at 1‑800‑252‑4343.
After filing, IDPH will investigate, which may include unannounced inspections, interviews, and medical record reviews. A top-tier Chicago elder abuse lawyer can help you determine the next steps that you need to take to address the issue. Once a nursing home complaint has been filed with state regulators, your lawyer can help you determine how to best take civil legal action against the facility to seek justice and compensation.
How Our Chicago Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Today
Elder abuse is unacceptable—especially so when it happens within the confines of a licensed assisted living facility. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and experience to take on all types of nursing home abuse cases. We have six and seven figure verdicts and settlements in a wide range of accident and injury claims in Chicago, including nursing home abuse cases. Your initial consultation with our Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer is free, confidential, and without any additional obligation.
Contact Our Chicago, IL Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Today
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago nursing home abuse attorneys are compassionate, experienced, and solutions-focused advocates for justice. If your elderly parent or vulnerable loved one was the victim of abuse or neglect, we are here as a resource. Reach out to us by phone or get in touch with us directly online for a free, no obligation case assessment. With an office in Chicago, we handle nursing home abuse and neglect cases throughout the region in Illinois.